Iconic commentator walks away as Australian football faces uncertain future
- Replies 0
Australian football fans are reeling after the shocking announcement that the unmistakable voice behind so many of our game’s most iconic moments—is hanging up his microphone and heading back to the UK.
For more than two decades, he has been the soundtrack to our footballing highs and heartbreaks, and his departure marks the end of an era for the sport in Australia.
Simon Hill’s decision to leave Australia after 22 years has left fans, players, and colleagues alike reflecting on just how much he’s meant to the local game.
From the A-League’s earliest days to the Socceroos’ most unforgettable triumphs, Hill’s commentary has been woven into the very fabric of Australian football.
Announcing his departure on social media, Hill wrote: ‘Saturday’s Grand Final will be my last A-League match.
I have made the decision to return to the UK, where I hope to continue my commentary career (I’m not retiring—can’t afford to!).
I’ve spent 22 brilliant years in Australia, most of them covering this excellent, crazy (& at times, infuriating!) competition, and I’ll miss it & my colleagues at 10, but I feel now is the right time.’
Hill will still call the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia in June before making the move, but for many, the reality is already sinking in: Australian football is losing one of its greatest champions.
Hill’s voice is synonymous with some of the most spine-tingling moments in Australian sport.
Who could forget his call of John Aloisi’s penalty that sent the Socceroos to the 2006 World Cup or Tim Cahill’s double against Japan in that same tournament?
More recently, his commentary captured the drama of Andrew Redmayne’s penalty heroics against Peru, securing Australia’s place at the 2022 World Cup.
But it wasn’t just the big moments. Hill’s passion, knowledge, and unwavering advocacy for the game elevated every match he called, from grassroots A-League fixtures to the world’s grandest stages.
He’s been a constant presence through the highs and lows, always fighting for the sport and its fans.
Hill’s reasons for leaving are deeply personal. Speaking to 10 News, he shared: ‘I feel a pull towards home. My parents are elderly. It will be sad (leaving Australia). It’s been a huge part of my life.’
It’s a reminder that even our sporting heroes have families and lives beyond the pitch.
After more than two decades of service to Australian football, Hill is choosing to be closer to loved ones—a decision we can all understand, even as we mourn his departure.
The reaction to Hill’s announcement has been swift and heartfelt.
The official A-League account thanked him for his ‘service to the A-Leagues and Australian football’, calling him ‘the voice of countless magic moments in our game’.
Fellow sports journalists, athletes, and fans have echoed the sentiment, with many describing his departure as a ‘massive loss’ and comparing it to the passing of other legendary broadcasters like Les Murray.
Tennis great Paul McNamee called Hill a ‘top commentator and voice of reason’, while journalist Sebastian Hassett described him as ‘the finest caller we’ve ever had’.
Fans, too, have shared their memories and gratitude, with one writing: ‘You’ve literally been there for every big moment in Australian football since you’ve been here.’
Hill’s departure raises important questions about the future of football commentary in Australia.
Who will step up to fill the void? Will the next generation of broadcasters be able to capture the same passion and insight that Hill brought to every game?
It’s also a moment for reflection on how we value and support the voices that bring our favourite sports to life.
In an era where media rights and coverage are constantly shifting, Hill’s exit is a timely reminder of the importance of strong, knowledgeable advocates for the game.
While Hill is leaving Australia, he’s not leaving football. He’s made it clear that he hopes to continue his commentary career in the UK, and who knows—perhaps we’ll hear him calling Premier League or World Cup finals in the years to come.
For now, though, Australian fans will have to get used to a new sound in the commentary box.
Credit: YouTube
Were you listening when Hill called Aloisi’s famous penalty? Do you have a favourite moment or call that’s stuck with you over the years? How do you feel about his departure, and what do you think it means for the future of football in Australia? We’d love to hear your thoughts and memories in the comments below.
For more than two decades, he has been the soundtrack to our footballing highs and heartbreaks, and his departure marks the end of an era for the sport in Australia.
Simon Hill’s decision to leave Australia after 22 years has left fans, players, and colleagues alike reflecting on just how much he’s meant to the local game.
From the A-League’s earliest days to the Socceroos’ most unforgettable triumphs, Hill’s commentary has been woven into the very fabric of Australian football.
Simon Hill, long regarded as the voice of Australian football, has announced his departure from Australia and will be heard in his final A-League match at the Grand Final. Credit: YouTube
Announcing his departure on social media, Hill wrote: ‘Saturday’s Grand Final will be my last A-League match.
I have made the decision to return to the UK, where I hope to continue my commentary career (I’m not retiring—can’t afford to!).
I’ve spent 22 brilliant years in Australia, most of them covering this excellent, crazy (& at times, infuriating!) competition, and I’ll miss it & my colleagues at 10, but I feel now is the right time.’
Hill will still call the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia in June before making the move, but for many, the reality is already sinking in: Australian football is losing one of its greatest champions.
Hill’s voice is synonymous with some of the most spine-tingling moments in Australian sport.
Who could forget his call of John Aloisi’s penalty that sent the Socceroos to the 2006 World Cup or Tim Cahill’s double against Japan in that same tournament?
More recently, his commentary captured the drama of Andrew Redmayne’s penalty heroics against Peru, securing Australia’s place at the 2022 World Cup.
But it wasn’t just the big moments. Hill’s passion, knowledge, and unwavering advocacy for the game elevated every match he called, from grassroots A-League fixtures to the world’s grandest stages.
He’s been a constant presence through the highs and lows, always fighting for the sport and its fans.
It’s a reminder that even our sporting heroes have families and lives beyond the pitch.
After more than two decades of service to Australian football, Hill is choosing to be closer to loved ones—a decision we can all understand, even as we mourn his departure.
The reaction to Hill’s announcement has been swift and heartfelt.
The official A-League account thanked him for his ‘service to the A-Leagues and Australian football’, calling him ‘the voice of countless magic moments in our game’.
Fellow sports journalists, athletes, and fans have echoed the sentiment, with many describing his departure as a ‘massive loss’ and comparing it to the passing of other legendary broadcasters like Les Murray.
Fans, too, have shared their memories and gratitude, with one writing: ‘You’ve literally been there for every big moment in Australian football since you’ve been here.’
Hill’s departure raises important questions about the future of football commentary in Australia.
Who will step up to fill the void? Will the next generation of broadcasters be able to capture the same passion and insight that Hill brought to every game?
It’s also a moment for reflection on how we value and support the voices that bring our favourite sports to life.
In an era where media rights and coverage are constantly shifting, Hill’s exit is a timely reminder of the importance of strong, knowledgeable advocates for the game.
For now, though, Australian fans will have to get used to a new sound in the commentary box.
Credit: YouTube
